Dave Raglin - 2024 State Representative District 4, Seat B Primary Candidate
In an interview, Dave Raglin, a Republican candidate for State Representative in District 4, discussed his extensive background and his plans for addressing key issues in Kootenai County. Raglin, recently retired, has a diverse professional history spanning 38 years across various sectors, including transportation, logistics, and rail industries. He also operates a local agency aiding developmentally disabled adults with his wife.
Raglin expressed concerns about the current state funding for public education in Idaho, advocating for permanent solutions to improve the educational system rather than temporary fixes. He emphasized the need for community and legislative collaboration to address educational inequities and enhance the quality of education.
On housing, Raglin highlighted the local crisis where wages haven't kept pace with rising home prices, making housing unaffordable for many, including essential workers. He proposed a comprehensive strategy involving community leaders, local builders, and non-profit organizations to address this issue effectively.
Regarding constituent communication, Raglin plans to ensure transparency and responsiveness through regular updates, town hall meetings, and a robust social media presence.
Raglin supports the Idaho Open Primary ballot initiative, arguing that it promotes inclusiveness and reduces polarization by allowing independent and third-party voters to participate in primaries.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for unity and shared community values in addressing local issues, advocating for a collaborative approach to preserve the cultural and foundational roots of Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho.
May 10, 2024
MORE EPISODES
Cheri Zao - 2024 State Senate District 5 Primary Candidate
Cheri Zao, a retired medical professional and Republican candidate for State Senate District 5, presents her views in a recent interview. With an educational background in Chemistry and Biology from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a Medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Zao has been a resident of Kootenai County for 35 years. She criticizes Idaho’s current public education funding as confusing and insufficient, advocating for legislative improvements to make the system more understandable and equitable.
On constituent communication, Zao plans to utilize her website (cherizao.com), which she describes as informative and interactive, in addition to regular email correspondence, town halls, and speaking engagements. She emphasizes the importance of being responsive to constituent needs and concerns.
Addressing affordable housing, Zao identifies the issue as a key motivation for her candidacy. She points to the large-scale purchase of residential homes by private equity and hedge funds as detrimental to housing affordability and advocates for legislation to protect local interests and control.
Zao supports the Idaho open primaries ballot initiative, arguing that closed primaries unfairly restrict independent voters. She believes that open primaries offer a fairer choice to all voters, regardless of their party affiliation.
In her concluding remarks, Zao positions herself as a proponent of conservative values, civility, and community strength, urging voters to support her candidacy based on these principles.
May 11, 2024
Carl Bjerke - 2024 State Senate District 5 Primary Candidate
Carl Bjerke, a Republican State Senate District 5 primary candidate, has an extensive background in public safety and legislative roles, which he believes qualifies him for re-election. With an associate degree in Respiratory Therapy and a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership, along with specialized training in incident command and management from prestigious institutions, Bjerke has built his career on a robust educational foundation. He moved to Kootenai County in 2017, drawn by family ties and retirement plans.
In terms of public education funding, Bjerke recognizes Idaho's constitutional commitment and suggests simplifying the funding formula while exploring creative funding methods to alleviate property tax burdens and enhance school choice options. Communication with constituents, particularly during legislative sessions, is challenging due to the volume of communications; however, Bjerke prioritizes accessibility via text and phone, encouraging engagement outside of session times for policy discussions.
On affordable housing, Bjerke sees a need for local solutions and possible legislative changes to support faster development processes, favoring a task force approach to address the mismatch between job availability and housing. He opposes the Idaho open primary ballot initiative, fearing it could lead to ranked-choice voting, which he views as detrimental.
Bjerke positions himself as a candidate dedicated to public service, touting his legislative achievements and ongoing commitment to improve Idaho through experienced and collaborative governance, making a strong case for his re-election based on a track record of service and a platform focused on practical, localized solutions to state issues.
May 10, 2024
Dave Raglin - 2024 State Representative District 4, Seat B Primary Candidate
In an interview, Dave Raglin, a Republican candidate for State Representative in District 4, discussed his extensive background and his plans for addressing key issues in Kootenai County. Raglin, recently retired, has a diverse professional history spanning 38 years across various sectors, including transportation, logistics, and rail industries. He also operates a local agency aiding developmentally disabled adults with his wife.
Raglin expressed concerns about the current state funding for public education in Idaho, advocating for permanent solutions to improve the educational system rather than temporary fixes. He emphasized the need for community and legislative collaboration to address educational inequities and enhance the quality of education.
On housing, Raglin highlighted the local crisis where wages haven't kept pace with rising home prices, making housing unaffordable for many, including essential workers. He proposed a comprehensive strategy involving community leaders, local builders, and non-profit organizations to address this issue effectively.
Regarding constituent communication, Raglin plans to ensure transparency and responsiveness through regular updates, town hall meetings, and a robust social media presence.
Raglin supports the Idaho Open Primary ballot initiative, arguing that it promotes inclusiveness and reduces polarization by allowing independent and third-party voters to participate in primaries.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for unity and shared community values in addressing local issues, advocating for a collaborative approach to preserve the cultural and foundational roots of Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho.
May 10, 2024
TRANSCRIPT
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:21:05
Helo Hancock
We are now going to meet Dave Raglin, the second candidate for State Representative, district four, seat B. Thank you for joining us, Dave. Please take a minute to introduce yourself and explain to our audience why you're running for the position of State representative in District four.
Dave Raglin
Well, I'm in Dave Ragland. I'm running for the seat district four, B here.
00:00:21:05 - 00:00:36:10
Dave Raglin
And, I'm married, a local, born and raised my wife. She's born and raised here in Coeur d'Alene. Along with her entire family, they're all born and raised here in North Idaho. So, I kind of want to step up as a voice for hearing the voices that I hear from them that are part of this community.
00:00:36:10 - 00:00:58:23
Dave Raglin
And, the bigger part of running for this is just having my experience that I have with fortune 100 companies working for UPS for BNSF Railway and Management, which I retire here the next month. And, these are my resources. They're working with government and local cities and counties and stuff like Sandpoint Bridge and stuff that I've got my territories that across the areas that I think I can offer great experience in that realm for there.
00:00:58:23 - 00:01:24:08
Dave Raglin
And of course, my wife and I own a local business where we employ 34 people. You know, we have coordinated services of Idaho. We work with special needs adults here or developmentally disabled adults, from that area, we help them get independent and we see some of the issues with them. We have direct with employees around here, and we know what's going on because we feel from them and housing and, and, and, cost of living and all the issues that I think that we're all trying to tackle this, election season.
00:01:24:10 - 00:01:48:08
Helo Hancock
Okay. Well, thank you, Dave, and congratulations on your upcoming retirement.
Dave Raglin
Thank you.
Helo Hancock
We're going to start with the first question. And remember, you have two minutes to answer this from your perspective, what was one good thing that came out of the most recent Idaho legislative session? And conversely, what was one not so good thing that came out of the session?
00:01:48:10 - 00:02:18:23
Dave Raglin
I think that is what I well, I still was unsure at the end of what we went with the library issue. So, I mean, whether that was on hold and I think a lot of us were following there, I did not see that till the end. I think the one only positive thing that I see that was coming out of the session was, more of is I'm trying to sit there and look and think back that there's a couple of them here that I was trying to make sure of, but it's, that might be a tough one for me, too.
00:02:18:23 - 00:02:38:09
Dave Raglin
I think, I was more concerned about what we were going to do as changing the laws with the library session, obviously, and how that was going to look like from a legislative perspective. I think, which is an important issue for so many parents that how do we govern that? And we don't need more government. But I think we need more of the parents that need to be involved with that.
00:02:38:09 - 00:02:54:22
Dave Raglin
I think, we don't let in front of the public libraries things that we already have laws in the book before this session that dictated where they were. Now. Then when we start to change things, we get more government involvement. I think that's what we want. They want less of. And I think parents need to step up in some of these situations.
00:02:54:22 - 00:03:12:18
Dave Raglin
And some of the things that I see there that, you know, I don't let my kid go to the park at four years old. It's a public park. I'm going to be there to make sure that my values are instilled and that he's protect them from what I see. And I think that's some of the issues that when I see the legislature in this session, we need to look at that from that perspective and make sure that it's less government.
00:03:12:18 - 00:03:42:14
Dave Raglin
From my position.
Helo Hancock
Okay? Okay. Thank you Dave. So the second question we have for you also you minutes to answer is how would you assess the relationship between the governor's office and the legislature down in Boise? And how do you see yourself, making that relationship as effective as possible for the citizens of Idaho if elected?
Dave Raglin
I think within that, you've got we look at it overall.
00:03:42:14 - 00:03:58:22
Dave Raglin
I mean, I think the positives I think when we look at us as a state, we see the news, the press we see away from our state. We're getting redder or people wish to move here for those things. But I think the overall session with Governor Little look at the things, the positive things he's done, he supports having law enforcement at the border.
00:03:59:03 - 00:04:13:08
Dave Raglin
He's sending law enforcement, our own law enforcement, to help protect the border. Those are some of the things that we see like there. I think that the feeling that we need down there is that he's willing to reach across the aisle. He's done some good things. He's kept Idaho open during Covid and when, where a lot of states weren't.
00:04:13:08 - 00:04:29:09
Dave Raglin
I mean, a lot of people that need to understand that here's a governor that's trying to work with all the parties within. It's going on in Boise. And I think that as some of the challenge that he may have is that how do you strengthen that within our own Republican Party, and how do we back those that are already in office to keep Republicans there?
00:04:29:09 - 00:04:53:19
Dave Raglin
And I think that's a huge issue for us. I think for the voters to understand that they need somebody that's going to represent the Republican Party, and that's why I'm running for it. I'm running for Republican Party. I think we need to make sure is that in that understanding that I'm the voice for the people to let the governor know, and that's what we really need is to let him know what the voters are asking and not be representative of an organization separate from the Republican Party.
00:04:53:19 - 00:05:28:07
Dave Raglin
And I think that's what's most important in representing the people.
Helo Hancock
Okay. And the final question is a more specific, and this is one that gets a lot of attention each year. It's certainly during the legislative session. and that's about funding public education. And, the question, we have for you is, is what what grade if you were grading, how the legislature did what grade would you give its funding and public education here in Idaho and explain that answer to us, please.
00:05:28:09 - 00:05:41:16
Dave Raglin
I think I was going to give it an answer. I think if you if I have to give it a grade like an A, B, C, something like that, no. Okay. I think it's a work in progress. I will give it a B-plus because I think that the governor has done so many different projects and trying to reach out in education.
00:05:41:16 - 00:05:58:01
Dave Raglin
You've seen that every time he stepped up to different programs that he's helped funded, the things that he's trying to get through the legislature to get them going. And I think when it comes to education, it's not just about raising taxes. That's not what he's wanting. It's not about raising, how much the bond and how that does.
00:05:58:01 - 00:06:16:23
Dave Raglin
We need to work together with our educators. And I think that's the biggest issue that he's facing is that when we look at the housing crisis, it faces educators, too. They don't make a whole lot in our state, and we need to make sure that what we can do to help foster that together, not by dividing each other, by coming together and say, no, it's an issue for all because we live here, that education is not going to go away.
00:06:16:23 - 00:06:34:05
Dave Raglin
Those high school in a way, you know, N.I.C. none of these are going to go away. So we need to come with solutions and not argue about things that are going to be really displace the voter. And I think that's what goes on. And so much of not coming to go and say, here's a solution. I think that's what I would help bring to the governor and help bring to the legislature.
00:06:34:07 - 00:06:47:19
Dave Raglin
Let's move a solutions that can help. What could that be? Is there some type of things that we see going on around the country? Because I know there's other things in Texas. I know there's things going on Louisiana that they're trying to help and education and help in their funding there. And what that looks like, where it's not just put on the taxpayer.
00:06:47:21 - 00:07:02:22
Dave Raglin
I think that's what you need to start looking at. Where do you have different types of ideas, whether it's other groups that help with it and foster educators? I mean, I think it's the most important. Without education. I mean, you all I mean, there's I don't know how many people wouldn't be around if we didn't have a higher institution or higher education.
00:07:02:22 - 00:07:34:00
Dave Raglin
So, I mean, it's something that we need to really look at and understand and not just think that it's a issue that is related to taxes. It's a real issue related to how we are as a human life.
Helo Hancock
Thank you. All right. Well, Dave the the that's the last of our three questions. You'll only have one minute to to share any final thoughts about yourself or your candidacy and, and really tell the voters, why they should choose you in this upcoming primary election.
00:07:34:01 - 00:07:49:07
Dave Raglin
I think the biggest aspect is if I look over the camera, I just, I want to be a voice. I want to be a voice for all those that were born and raised here. I want to be a voice for the people that you hear every day on the street. obviously, I like I said, I own a local small business with my wife.
00:07:49:09 - 00:08:10:23
Dave Raglin
We see the effects of what the economy is doing. We see the effects of housing. We see the effects of education. We work with so many different agencies in the area. So, when we look at that and how they're struggling and just not only just our business, but whether you work in CDA concrete or the coffee shop, the cost of living is driving our workforce.
00:08:11:00 - 00:08:27:18
Dave Raglin
And I think people got to understand that the dynamics of economy is what I'm trying to bring and teach them and to educate and to come together. If we don't educate us together, that's why I'm running, and I'm running for the sake of my family. And so that we can help make of understanding of we can solve these issues.
00:08:27:18 - 00:08:44:21
Dave Raglin
We don't need to argue about them. We just need to bring the community together. And I think that's the most important aspect that I can bring to.
Helo Hancock
Very good. Well, David, really appreciate you being here this evening and telling voters about where you at, where you're at on some of these things and some people or by yourself. So appreciate that.
00:08:44:21 - 00:08:48:01
Helo Hancock
Thank you.
Dave Raglin
Thank you.
Helo Hancock
Yeah. Appreciate it.
Dave Raglin
Thank you.